CorpComms Magazine

Applebee's, the world's largest casual dining chain, has gone into crisis management mode after a 15 month old toddler was served tequila-spiked apple juice in his sippy cup.

The restaurant chain is retraining its staff nationwide and will change the way it serves juice to children.

In a press statement, Applebee's said: 'We want to express how thankful we are that the child involved in the incident at our restaurant in Madison Heights [Detroit] was not seriously injured as a result of accidentally receiving the wrong beverage.'

It added: 'We also want to apologise to his parents for the stress and worry that caused them. Although our efforts to speak with the child's parents have been unsuccessful, we extend our personal apologies.'

Taylor Dill-Reese visited her local Applebee's last Friday and ordered an apple juice for her son Dominick. She told WDIV-TV that she realised something was wrong with Dominick when he 'kind of laid his head on the table and dozed off a little bit and woke up and got real happy'.

By the end of this week, Applebee's has pledged to switch to pouring apple juice 'only from single-serve containers served at the table'. 

All staff will also be retrained on the company's 'pouring policy', which emphasises that non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages 'must be stored in completely separate and identified containers'.

Applebee's said that its strong actions 'make a statement to our guests of all ages around our commitment to provide a safe and enjoyable dining experience'.

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